The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-05
THE FIFTIETH CONGRESS-.

Id6 f1f Il6Id CUNGh6SS.
The Fiftieth Congress will convene in
Washington to-day. Its designation suggests
important point in our national history.
Fifty Congresses means a century of national
existence. The First Congress convened in
New York, March 4. 1889, and held two ses-
sions in that city and one in Philadelphia.
From 1870 till 1899, Congress sat in Philadel-
phia. The Sixth Congress convened in Wash
ington, Nov. II, 1900, and from that ii me to
the present the sessions have been held at the
national capital. The Congress which meets
to-day was elected in November, 1856, and
members have been drawing their salaries at
the rate of S., 900 year since March 4, 1887.
This by way of familiarizing new members
with their duties. No doubt many of them
have rendered partial equival emit during the
interval by studying up" on parliamentary
law and, perhaps. by trying to inform them
selves some of the questions likely to come
up for discussion It is to be hoped they have not
studied very hard, for they will have
this session. Perhaps this is fortunate,
for it will also prevent them from
airing their Ignorance. New members are
expected to take back seats for at least one or
two sessions, when they are supposed to have
absorbed wisdom enough from their surround
ings to be permitted to take part in legisla-
ton. The Congress that meets to-day con-
tains large proportion of new members, with
enough old ones to act lead-horses on both
sides, and shape the history of the session.
1t will be long session, extending well into
next summer. The long session generally
extends till July, and sometimes till August
As usual, much time will be wasted After
organizing and receiving the Presidents mes
sage. and giving the Speaker few days in
which to make up the committees, a little
will be done in the way of cutting out work,
and then Congress will adjourn for the holt
days. The real work of the session will not
begin till after the holidays. Just what that
work will be. its scope, outcome and effect on
the business and welfare of the country, is
altogether matter of doubt and coniect-
ure. Tossing up a penny is far less
uncertain. for whereas penny only fall
in one of two ways. Congress may do great
many things in great many ways. Congress
has very high license and very wide option.
But we do not look for any very decided ac-
tion by this Congress on any question. It
will be presidential session, and both parties
will be skirmishing for position. There will
probably be more talk than usual, if that be
possible, and very little action. The one i'm
portant question overshadowing all others,
that ought to be discussed in statesman
like manner, and disposed of on its merits, is
the disposition of the surplus revenue and
the financial questions connected Herewith
Unless Congress can dispose of that question
at this session it really might as we'll not
meet at all. The Democrats have made
great outcry about ''tariff REFORM" which is
their euphemism for trade, and will,
doubtless, attempt some legislation in that
direction, though with little prospect of agree
ment among themselves as to what should be
done. AS they have working majority in
the House, where revenue measures must
orig mate, they will be held responsible for its
action or non-action in this regard. It is
quite likely, however, that the session which
opens to-day will be mostly devoted by both
parties to manufacturing, collecting and
arranging material for next years presi-
Dental campaign.